lostcarnival | ⇨ THE WYLDLANDS

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⇨ THE WYLDLANDS

Who: Everyone pursuing the Huntsman.
When: Day 134 - Day 140
Where: The Wyldlands
What: Working as scouts from the Summer armies, the carnival makes a dangerous trek into the Wyldlands to find the Huntsman, defeat him, and save the Ringmaster from the Hunt. The day descriptions below are an outline, and details may change based on actions earlier in the week. Overall, though, it will keep the same general locations. You can make up encounters with Wylderkin at any time.
Warnings: Probably violence and gross Huntsman stuff.

HUNTING THE HUNTER↴

Upon first arriving in the Wyldlands, the carnival will find themselves in a scene much like the picture above - strange mountain ranges rise up around them, while thick forest cling to the land between. Every so often, giant silhouettes of Wyld Fae will fly overhead. Thankfully, the Summer Fae have picked an area with plenty of cover to hide in to begin their infiltration, and as the carnival is arriving via teleporation, there will be squadrons of Summerland and Summer Court Fae spreading out and concealing themselves within the trees. They will be following the carnival's trail as they move deeper into the Wyldlands, looking for their guidance to avoid the maw of the Hunt.

The carnival Supervisors will be given several golden scrolls that unfurl into small light elementals. These will transmit information between the Summer armies and the carnival at speeds similar to sending a text message. They takes various forms, but most of them are abstract motes of light with wings and tails. When delivering messages, they take the form and voice of whoever gave the message, like a custom hologram that disappears immediately after finishing.

After the carnival has been debriefed one more time, they will be sent off ahead to begin their scouting duties. Through a mixture of augury and expertise, the Summer Fae have narrowed down an area the Huntsman should be, as well as designated a general route that will mostly have ground cover. Who knows if it will stay that way, though, with how quickly the Wyldlands change. Much like in the Summer Court, time here is subjective - all sense of time varies between individuals, and the only solid way of knowing when a day is over is to have the light from the sky disappear. All time pieces will perform erratically while here.

The carnival will still need to eat and rest, as well, which means that they will have to figure out the best times to set up camp. They have sufficient rations, at least.

► DAY 134: The carnival heads deeper into the forest on the first day of their scouting mission, told to head for a giant tree that they can see on the horizon. Apparently, this tree is a landmark that will remain consistent for the time being. Someone will have to check above the canopy every so often to keep everyone on target, which risks gaining the attention of flying Wyld Fae. There are plenty of Wylderkin around (lesser Wyld Fae that behave more like standard fantasy animals) but overall the journey through this section will not be hugely perilous, as long as they remain cautious and hidden. There will be a Megathread on this day, dealing with some optional and only mildly important Summer Court NPC interactions.

► DAY 135: Early during the next day of travelling, the forest will begin to fill with more and more magical fungi until giant shrooms have almost completely replaced the trees. At first they will seem innocuous, but as their presence becomes more inescapable, it will gradually become apparent than many of the mushrooms are poisonous to the touch - and eating them will be far worse! Those with empathetic connections to plants may be able to determine which are poisonous and which aren't, while some fungi may even have beneficial effects, if they get lucky enough to find and identify them. Generally speaking, though, there are few non-plant creatures around here, due to the fact that everything is toxic, including the swampy water that covers large sections of the ground. There will be no mod directed interactions during this period, besides handling general investigations.

► DAY 136: During the middle of this day, the carnival will finally reach the giant tree. On one hand, the plant-life has become relatively safe again. On the other, the giant tree is the lair of several neutral Wyld Fae who probably won't like the carnival's presence. On the other other hand, maybe those Wyld Fae might be willing to help or offer them directions? It's up to the group to decide if they want to attempt diplomacy, or to stealth past the tree and find their own way. There will be a Megathread on this day, based on however the team decides to handle it.

► DAY 137: Past the area surrounding the big tree, the lush foliage of the forest will begin degrading until nothing is left but dark naked trunks filled with glowing pods of various sizes. It's here that those with a connection to the Hunt will start to get a sense of the Huntsman's presence, and will be drawn in a vague direction. Unfortunately, this will also be their first major brush with the Hunt itself. Hunt patrols skirmish with neutral Wyld Fae in this forest, and the collateral damage of their warfare can be seen all over. The carnival will want to either map out a path through the trees that the fighting can be avoided for the sake of the Summer troops, or give them enough data to be able to handle the threat. How this portion goes will partly depend on the outcome of the previous day's Megathread.

► DAY 138: The forest will open up into the beginnings of a mountain range, with flowing water, luminescent plant life, and the occasional cluster of crystals sprouting from the earth. There are large parties of Hunt controlled Wyld Fae patrolling this area, and so making it through will require careful navigation. As the path becomes more and more mountainous, it will be possible to find routes that mostly avoid the patrols - this information will need to be communicated back to the Summer troops. There will be a Megathread here dealing with a Hunt patrol encounter.

► DAY 139: The mountains will continue to steepen, and the crystal formations will grow more huge and consistent. The air is always cloudy, and the air condition is bad, making it harder to breathe. Weather will become more and more unfavorable the higher into the mountains the carnival gets, with cold winds and lightning that frequently strikes the crystals and causes them to send out bursts of destructive energy. Paths will occasionally crumble. There is still a heavy Hunt presence, here, though they keep to safer trails - the best way to avoid them may indeed be taking the most dangerous routes. It's probably better than being mauled to death by beasts, though. Some distant mountain tops look like the might be volcanoes. There is almost no plant-life here, besides the most stubborn of brambles. By this point, the pull of the Huntsman has grown much stronger.

► DAY 140: The sky clears enough to show a deep red skyline. Barren cliffs are punctuated with rivers of lava, and paradoxically vibrant trees and foliage in erratic spurts. The those in the carnival with a connection to the Hunt will find themselves drawn to a valley in the center of the rocks, absolutely filled with Wyld Fae and other slaves gathered from around the multiverse. This will be the final encounter, and the carnival may have to trust in their Wyld Fae disguises to make it through. There will be multiple Megathreads here, detailing the encounter with the Huntsman and bringing this log to an end.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Meanwhile, Gild has teleported over to the mountain ridge where carnival members are gathering, and Ignatius is just kind of floating around in the air above the water, looking for signs of distress. He really hopes that nobody got caught up in that. A strike from the combined force of two ancient Wyld Fae would be hard for any fae to take, let alone changelings.

He honestly shares Rita's sentiment, though he's not the sort to just straight up yell that. After being sure that Rita, Strange, and a few others are alive, he looks towards the dragon.

"They forced the hunting parties to retreat..." he observes. "It's a move in our favour... more or less..."

You know, minus the almost killing a bunch of them thing, but that's pretty par for the course with Wyld Fae in his experience.

Landing with everyone, Carly has to agree with what Ignatius is saying- it was a rough blow but...

"We managed to catch a breath of air from that," she observes, lifting her blindfold and shaking off a headache.

"Ahh...GOOD SHOT!" she calls down despite everything. It was, after all.

"Begone from this place, slaves," the River Dragon booms, towering over some of the fleeing hunters as he watches. The Thunder Bird rises into the air, sheltering some of the wounded Wyld Fae it brought with it from the tree. They don't seem as badly off as the enemy, though.

"RECKLESS," the Thunder Bird calls back, spreading its wings across the sky. The conversation between these two titans is easy for all to hear. "WERE IT NOT FOR ANCIENT TREATIES..."

"Would you rather give up your territories? Your mind?" the River Dragon rumbles back. "There is no more time for us."

Edited 2019-02-07 16:18 (UTC)

While the River Dragon tells off the members of the hunt, Peridot gets her wits back about her and, without taking her eyes off of the fae, flies up to try and clumsily nudge Steven and his two passengers in the direction of the higher ground where the rest of the carnival has gathered. Then she lands there herself, slinking her way over nervously (as much as one can slink while flying, anyway).

"Oh thank Stars he's on our side," she mutters in a single exhale. Man that light show spooked her!

Syrlya is quickly counting off heads when the lightning surges, just as well to make sure that none of their people were caught in it. He relaxes, just a touch when he realizes they were all airborne or on dry ground.

He watches the River Dragon warily, because even for supposedly being on their side, it was reckless. And he'd rather not see reckless go further--wait.

Syrlya squints. "Excuse me! Are you associated with the Ring--with the Great Beast?"

Thank god Gongenzaka is around to translate all this crazy fancy Wyld Fae talk, because otherwise Zangetsu would be totally lost.

But then he looks at Lambert and Strange, gesturing wildly (and forgetting that Gon has a metal arm, so there's a lot more momentum there than he expected).

"WAIT. Hold up! What? Dad?! Whose dad?! WHAT IS GOING ON."

As Syrlya calls out, the River Dragon stops arguing with the Thunder Bird and pivots around to look at the group of tiny changelings gathering on the nearby cliff face. Water still pours from his body, flooding the area below, but with less violence than before. Fog and sea spray can be felt in the nearby air.

"I am her Maker, child," the River Dragon says.

Edited 2019-02-07 20:51 (UTC)

"Whaaaaaat."

It's that moment that Gon chooses to kick Zangetsu out, so the ghost himself manifests back in his normal form, sitting on Gon's back.

"... Wait, no, I think I knew that. Wasn't that in one'a'them books?"

"Hfff..." Gongenzaka shakes himself as Zangetsu leaves his body, blinking up at the scene as he re-orients himself. Not that he was at all unaware of everything, but willfully not using your limbs makes the transition odd.

Quietly, he has to snort. "Well, as the Ringmaster's father, I, the man Gongenzaka, can see the resemblance...attitude wise, at least..."

It's well humored, but hoh! The Thunder Bird was right about it being reckless!

Lambert and Strange's reactions get a curious look from Rita, her brow furrowed as she gets the sense she's missing something she should have realized by now. But soon, it clicks.

"This is... the River Dragon?" she marvels, gazing up at the beast with newfound comprehension. And since it looks like they have his attention for the moment, she'll go ahead and speak to him. "You've been fighting them? The Huntsman's goons, I mean."

"There are few other options," the River Dragon says to Rita, shifting to look at her more closely. "The Huntsman's power has grown so suddenly... I cannot help but feel responsible..."

He turns to look inward, towards the mountains and towards the heart of the Hunt.

"It ain't yer fault!" Zangetsu calls to the River Dragon, hopping off Gon's back. "The Huntsman has been getting direct help from the Winter Queen. That snake-thing he has, she gave it to 'im."

The River Dragon rumbles, and it's unclear whether or not he agrees with that assessment. For those with emotional intuition, it seems like there is some hesitation.

"The Great Beast cannot remain under his power. You are touched by her magic. You seek to free her?"

Carly doesn't even hesitate. "Of course!! She's done so much for so many of us already..! Even if a lot of the things that happened...were sort of her fault..." She coughs, steadying herself again. "...She's only ever wanted people to be free to enjoy themselves..! And...despite everything, she faced the Huntsman to try and keep us safe, and stop him- so now we're going to be the ones to save her this time!"

Many of those with her might, and probably do, have reasons that are a little less emotionally based...but Carly is.

Definitely emotionally based.

(It shows.)

Strange has been listening. At Carly's explanation, he frowns a little, though quickly shifts that frown back into a neutral expression. She's not wrong. But Strange still has some mixed opinions about this whole Ringmaster business. And so, on a less emotionally driven note, he tosses in a few facts to back up her testimony.

"If we don't free her, then the Wyldlands will remain under the control of the Huntsman. Considering that he's already working with the Winter Court and we believe he has one of the Queen's Miracle in his possession, the sooner we free her, the better."

"We know now he has one of the miracles, and he may come into possession of the rest very soon." Syrlya nods to the River Dragon. "If you are already combatting his forces, then we could join together to rescue the Great Beast and end the Huntsman's threat for good."

The discussion doesn't exactly seem to answer where the River Dragon stands on the whole 'being a parent' thing, at least not to Lambert's satisfaction, but an ally's an ally ... more or less. And yet something's off. Lambert's shit enough reading body language as it is, but the dragon's so damn huge it's hard to miss.

"You said you feel responsible," he says abruptly, staring at the River Dragon, searching that inhuman visage for ... he doesn't even know. Something to confirm his crazed conspiracy theories, mostly. "Why? It's not like you're the one who got her caught." His tail lashes, agitated.

"Or are you talking about how the Hunstman got his hands on the Red Beast?" Wait. Fuck. Red wings, and talons? Incredulity makes the witcher's voice cracks a little as he raises it, fists balling at his sides.

"Did the Red Beast get caught trying to save the Ringmaster?!" Because the River Dragon wouldn't help? Or didn't care? He doesn't bother voicing the accusation, but he doesn't think he needs to.

Edited (oops i needed a pissier icon) 2019-02-08 21:02 (UTC)

The River Dragon has no argument with anything they are telling him - as they plead their case, he already seems to be in agreement. Whether it's out of personal concern or just a desire to avoid being ruled over by a tyrant is less clear, but he mostly just rumbles his assent.

"I came here to lend my aid," he says. "This now concerns much more than me and mine..."

And then Lambert starts talking. The River Dragon turns his head, his watery body thrashing across the mountain tops with similar agitation.

"Mmm..." he says, looking downward. "There are stories that are not mine to tell..." If a giant dragon can look uncomfortable, here it is. "You will encounter the Red Beast, it is true."

Lambert stares. And keeps staring. Yeah, you can keep right on looking uncomfortable, Mr. Ancient Wyld Fae Guy, because Lambert isn’t inclined to stop.

And then he raises a hand and crooks a clawed finger at Amethyst.

“Hey, Amethyst,” he says, too calmly, despite the flush of irritation beginning to creep up his neck. “Come here for a second, would you?”

Amethyst, who is currently an owl and probably perched on top of someone (most likely Steven but also potentially Herbert, depending on whether the Steven float jump train ended up needing someone to sit on top of them to help them land in the right place), hops down and changes back in order to trundle quadrupedally over.

"Hyup, yeah, whaddaya want?" she says, looking sidelong at the River Dragon.

This lack of answers is getting a little bit annoying. Unsurprisingly, the guy with a bit of a complex regarding secrets isn't too fond of information being deliberately withheld. Strange frowns a little as he looks up at the dragon.

"If you want to lend your aid, then tell us more about what we're facing. We still don't know as much as we'd like about the scope of the Huntsman's forces, the Red Beast itself, what all you can offer, and so on and so forth."

Despite the fact that they're still near each other, Strange is blatantly ignoring whatever the hell Lambert's up to because he has a sneaking suspicion it'll be stupid as hell.

Strange might, but Carly...is not.

She turns to Lambert suspiciously, crossing her arms. "...Lambert what are you doing..." SIR,

“I want to yell at him without hurting myself,” Lambert says, simply and ever-so-sincerely.

So it is, in fact, stupid as hell.

Unfortunately for everyone, Amethyst is always down for stupid as hell. She grins. "You got it, Lambo," she says, and becomes a megaphone again. A larger one this time, for comedy effect.

"Thanks," Lambert says, sincerely, before picking Amethyst up and directing the megaphone at the River Dragon (and assembled Wyld Fae in general, really). He doesn't have to raise his voice, but it sure is amplified.

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME," Lambert says, as deadpan as anyone through a megaphone can. "NOW I KNOW WHICH SIDE OF THE FAMILY SHE GETS IT FROM. NOBODY'S GOING TO BE TELLING ANY STORIES IF WE DON'T GET THEM OUT OF THERE, SO YOU MIGHT WANNA GIVE US SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT." He pauses for a breath, a flicker of uncertainty in his expression, before he plows on ahead.

"LIKE HOW YOU GOT A MIRACLE KNOCKED UP AND YOUR KID DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT, FOR STARTERS."

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